Landover Warehouse Collapse: Cranes Brought In To Assist In Rescue Of Trapped Worker

LANDOVER, Md. (CBSDC/AP) — Cranes have been brought in to help assist in the rescue of a 46-year-old who they believe is trapped under debris field piled 40 to 50 feet high following a warehouse collapse in Landover.

The efforts to rescue the Recall employee were put on hold as authorities were forced to wait for the building to stabilize before they could proceed with their efforts.

Prince George’s County fire officials say rescuers made three searches for the missing worker but didn’t find the man overnight.

The victim’s wife has been at the warehouse during the ordeal.

The warehouse is a massive document storage operation. It suddenly began to collapse Thursday night, buckling at least two walls. Rescue officials say about 25 employees were in the warehouse at the time, and firefighters worked to evacuate them.

One official says they have spoken to fellow employees that told them the area missing worker was last seen working. They were able to review some of the security film from inside where the collapse occurred, but have not located the missing man.

Employees at Recall, a document management company, told firefighters that a forklift accidentally struck a storage rack that toppled and created a domino effect Thursday night. The falling shelves struck support beams, then the roof collapsed and walls buckled.

Prince George’s Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady says there is an additional concern of pooling water on the ground at the building. Water pipes burst during the collapse, which caused the pooling issue.

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